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Senior Practitioner - Young Peoples Placement Service

Employer
Essex County Council
Location
England, Essex, Chelmsford
Salary
Negotiable
Closing date
27 Nov 2019

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Job role
Social Worker
Contract Type
Full time

Essex County Council (ECC) is one of the largest and most dynamic local authorities in the UK, serving a population of 2 million residents, and has a very successful track record of delivering transformational change. ECC anticipated change was needed in the public sector and has worked to deliver better quality at lower cost. We have an ambitious transformation agenda - one with the scope to reach every part of the council. We are changing the way we think, the way we work, and the ways in which we deliver our services. We are committed to becoming a place where individuals, partners and communities feel proud to play their role and genuinely want to belong. We're immensely proud of our flexible working options.

In ECC we are "Serious about Social Work". Having recently won the Best Social Work Employer of the Year Award 2018 and been awarded 'Outstanding' by Ofsted this is an exciting time to join us. As if that wasn't enough, Essex has also been announced as a Partner in Practice by the Department of Education, and the Essex Social Care Academy (ESCA) is the only Local Authority team in the country to be accredited by BASW as a CPD provider. We have invested in our workforce and created a positive environment for our social workers to make a difference and achieve change for our most vulnerable children and families through direct relationship-based social work practice. We have supported our staff to have an understanding of systemic theoretical framework and models underpinning our interventions; to have access to the right tools, equipment and resources; and also the right supervision, training and learning opportunities they need to be strong practitioners

Children and Families is recognised as a service in which social work can develop and prosper, with a culture of collaboration, integrity and compassion; promoting development and wellbeing of children, young people and their families; protecting them from neglect and abuse. Working together with partners delivering a range of early help, family support and effective social work interventions which build resilience, remove barriers and enable children and young people to look forward to a brighter future.

The role

The Senior Practitioner will be part of the duty management for placement requests for children and young people. To provide expert supervision and coaching for Placement Officers, to achieve positive change for children, young people and families. The role deputises for the Team Manager, leading the team and management of duty services.

Experience of working with Looked After Children and knowledge of a range of placement that could be sourced for Children and Young people.

Key skills in supporting and supervising Placement Officers in their day to day roles.

To be linked to a Quadrant to develop relationship with all relevant child care field teams with a focus on developing relationships with Foster Carers and Fostering colleagues across the Quadrants within Essex.

The role requires an experienced Social Work Practitioner, to manage high levels of risk, mentor and advise staff, manage performance and deliver service improvements. An essential skill is to be able to build strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders.

Special Conditions

The role requires the postholder to be mobile throughout a wide operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond.

Within this role there will be a potential requirement for working outside of normal office hours, both during the evening and at weekends.
* A recognised social work qualification i.e. diploma, degree or master's in social work, CQSW, CSS or equivalent, with current registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a registered social worker.

* Evidence of continuing professional development aligned to any relevant professional competency/Capability frameworks or Knowledge and Skills Statements.

* Significant experience of social work, demonstrating a comprehensive and up to date understanding of all relevant legislation, regulations and guidance.

* Experience of mentoring both Social Work students and newly qualified and experienced Social Work staff, being a subject matter expert in a professional social work practice.

* Experience of charring meetings involving clients, family members and/or carers and other multi-agency professionals

* Developing strong relationships with partners, other agencies and the local community to achieve joint objectives and offer a supportive framework for children, young people and families.

* In-depth understanding of delivery of value for money interventions balanced against need.

* Proven track record of clear decision making in order to highlight and limit the potential risks associated with intervention.

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

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